NVIDIA has long been a key player in the graphics card industry, known for its impressive graphics processors and accelerators. However, the company’s commitment to long-term support extends beyond just gaming GPUs; it’s evident in their continued backing of the NVIDIA Shield, an Android-based set-top box geared towards gamers, first launched in 2015.
Despite its age, the Shield has evolved tremendously. Initially featuring noteworthy gaming capabilities and a dedicated gamepad, it now supports GeForce NOW and offers 4K resolution, although it still falls behind with no HDR compatibility for Netflix and operates on aging hardware. The underlying tech is based on the Tegra X1, which was slightly boosted to the X1+ version in 2019. This chipset, similar in some ways to the Nintendo Switch, is built on TSMC’s older 16nm process and features a Maxwell-based GPU with 256 CUDA cores.
Remarkably, the Shield remains one of the strongest TV set-top boxes on the market, maintaining its $199 price tag thanks to regular updates from NVIDIA—now into its ninth year. Despite its robust performance, the Shield TV’s hardware could use a refresh. It still features HDMI 2.0b and only WiFi 5, although an Ethernet connection is included. The X1+ model adds AI upscaling, Dolby Vision, and enhances Dolby Atmos, giving users improved viewing experiences.
The latest update, known as the SHIELD Experience Upgrade 9.1.1+, delivers a suite of fixes and enhancements. It introduces a beta enhancement for image match frame rate, resolves issues with storage filling up, addresses audio issues when using headsets connected to controllers, and fixes crashes related to GeForce NOW. Other fixes include resolving video distortions, correcting USB HDD/Flash drive issues, and addressing occasional crashes in DRM apps.
Looking ahead, NVIDIA’s future Shield iterations may receive a noteworthy boost with the anticipated successor to the Tegra X1. Apparently dubbed the Tegra T239, it’s rumored to be planned for the Nintendo Switch and interestingly incorporates Ampere architecture with a sprawling 1,536 CUDA cores, ray tracing, and potential DLSS support. A new Shield equipped with this technology could significantly enhance its performance power.
In essence, NVIDIA’s continuous updates not only ensure the Shield remains relevant in a rapidly evolving market but also hint at the company’s lack of intention to phase out this product line anytime soon.
